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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To text contractor after bereavement?

11 replies

Elouera · 20/11/2020 21:30

We paid for a skip and man to do work on our old garage. 1st day he arrived, said his mother-in-law had a fall and needed to head off. He left equipment, and said he'd return at 9am. Next day I texted to see where he was(and ask after MIL's welfare), turns out he meant 9am the following day! He returned, but the weather was too bad to complete the job so we re-arranged again.

That day comes around, and he texts early to say the MIL had died and he would be in touch that afternoon to rearrange another date. That was 2 days ago and I've heard nothing. I realise it must be a stressful time and I would normally leave it, except we need the skip removed in a week due to other building works and we cannot do the task ourselves- plus, we've paid for it already as part of the skip hire.

AIBU to politely text and ask when/if we might be able to do the job?

OP posts:
Pembsgirl · 20/11/2020 22:41

I would definitely text him, as regardless of a death in the family, if you're in business you need to either keep your clients informed, or find someone else to cover the job. Also, it's not as if it's his own mother that's died, it's his MIL, so he should at the very least be able to find a moment to let you know what's going on.

mrsbyers · 20/11/2020 22:45

I’d not be surprised at all if the death was just made up - time wasters are renowned for deaths / hospital visits etc which are made up

VetiverAndLavender · 20/11/2020 22:51

Yes, that's part of doing business. Clients shouldn't be left hanging indefinitely. He should be in touch to tell you what his plans are. If he can't finish the job by the time you need it done, he needs to tell you that so you can possibly find someone else who can.

notdaddycool · 21/11/2020 08:54

If you haven’t already wait for Monday, it won’t make much difference. It may not be genuine bit if you can’t disprove it then presume it is.

Charleyhorses · 21/11/2020 09:18

Well all I can say is in my experience there seems to be an unusually high death rate amongst elderly relatives of trades people (and indeed eBay buyers and sellers)
Scepticism aside, I would text my condolences and remind of the deadline/schedule of works etc and ask for an answer.

nosswith · 21/11/2020 09:59

I'd text him on Monday morning. Sad that there are people who may be inventing reasons to be unreliable, but understand the scepticism.

Elouera · 21/11/2020 18:10

I did text and he said he'd come tomorrow. thanks for everyones replies and thoughts.

OP posts:
Elouera · 22/11/2020 09:15

Ahh, yet another thing!!! He texted to say he'd 'forgotten' it was his birthday and the grandkids are having a suprise birthday for him!!!! I'd be interested how this will happen during lockdown??? He has rearrange yet again, but am certainly thinking CF now Angry

OP posts:
TeeniefaeTroon · 22/11/2020 09:18

He forgot his own birthday? 🤔😂

Elouera · 22/11/2020 19:01

@TeeniefaeTroon- I know! He forgot his own birthday!!! If it really was a suprise birthday, then surely its a significant one also? He claimed he forgot due to everything else going on this week! I like to think this may well be the case, but my patience has worn very thin now!

OP posts:
Charleyhorses · 22/11/2020 21:48

Bollocks. He's running 2 jobs. Toughen up!

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